HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-0653Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Supreme Cour~ #32317
549 Bridge Street
New Curaberland, PA 17070
(717) 774-1445
STEPHEN P. GIFT,
Plaintiff
1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v. : NO.
APRIL M. GIFT,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
NOTICE TO DEFEND AND CLAlM RIGHTS
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT, if you wish to defend against the claims set forth
in the following pages, you must take prompt action. You are warned that if you fail to do so the
case may proceed without you and a decree of divorce or annulment may be entered against you
by the Court. A judgment may also be entered against you for any other claim or relief requested
in these papers by the Plaintiff You may lose money or property or other rights important to
you, including custody and visitation of your children.
When the grounds for a divorce is indignities or irretrievable breakdown of the marriage,
you may request marriage counseling. A list of marriage counselors is available in the Domestic
Relations Office at the County Courthouse.
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A CLAIM FOR ALIMONY, DIVISION OF PROPERTY,
LAWYER'S FEES OR EXPENSES BEFORE A DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT IS GRANTED,
YOU MAY LOSE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM ANY OF TI-~M.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE
OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
Two Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, Pa 17013
(717) 249-3166
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Supreme Court #32317
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
(717) 774-1445
STEPHEN P. GIFT,
Plaintiff
APRIL M. GIFT,
Defendant
: 1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
'NO. 6q- 6rs
CUSTODY COMPLAINT
1. The Plaintiff is Stephen P. Gift (hereinafter referred to as "Father"), who currently
resides at 604 Heritage Court, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
2. The Defendant is April M. Gift (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), who currently
resides at 3 Truffle Glen Road, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
NAME
P. Alexander Gift
Plaintiff seeks shared legal and primary physical custody of the following children:
PRESENT RESIDENCE
604 Heritage Court
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Ryan M. Gift 3 Truffle Glen Road 2/4/1988
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
DATE OF BIRTH
10/24/1985
4. The children were in the custody of Mother who is currently residing at 3 Truffle Glen
Road, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055 until February 10, 2004 when Alex
was put out of the home by Defendant to reside with his Father.
5. During the past five years the children have resided with the following persons at the
following addresses:
DATES ADDRESSES
NAMES OF PERSONS
1N HOUSEHOLD
As to Ryan:
February 10, 2004 to
Present
3 Truffle Glen Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Mother and Ryan
As to Alex:
February 10, 2004 to
Present
604 Heritage Court
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Father and Alex
November, 2002
to February 10, 2004
3 Truffle Glen Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Mother
February, 1999
to November, 2002
3 Truffle Glen Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Father and Mother
6. The Father of the children is Stephen P. Gift, currently residing at 604 Heritage Court,
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
7. The Mother of the children is April M. Gift, currently residing at 3 Truffle Glen Road,
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
The parties are currently married but separated from each other since November, 2002.
2
currently resides with the following persons:
NAME
P. Alexander Gift
The relationship of the Plaintiffto that of the children is that of Father. The Plaintiff
RELATIONSHIP
Son
resides with the following persons:
NAME
Ryan M. Girl
The relationship of the Defendant to the children is Mother, The Defendant currently
RELATIONSHIP
Son
10. Plaintiff` has not participated as a party or witness, or in another capacity, in other
litigation concerning the custody of the children in this or another court.
11. The Plaintiff` has no information of a custody proceeding concerning the children
pending in any court of this Commonwealth.
12. Plaintiffdoes not know of a person not a party to the proceedings who has physical
custody of the children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the children.
13. The best interest and permanent welfare of the children will be served by granting the
relief requested because Plaintiff can provide a stable, loving environment for his children. Plaintiff
3
seeks to spend consistent time with the children on a regular schedule, free from conflict with
Defendant in such scheduling. Plaintiffhas concerns about supervision by Defendant of the children
and erratic behavior of Defendant.
14 Each parent whose parental rights to the children have not been terminated and the
person who has physical custody of the children have been named as parties to this action.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiffrequests the Court to grant sh~fl
the children to the Plaintiff
DATE: February/~,, 2004
! legal and physical custody of
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070- 1931
(717) 774-1445
Supreme Court I.D. 32317
4
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Supreme Court #32317
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
(717) 774-1445
STEPHEN P. GIFT,
Plaintiff
APRIL M. GIFT,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
Defendant : NO.
VERIFICATION
I, Stephen P. Gift, hereby certify that the facts set forth in the foregoing CUSTODY
COMPLAINT are tree and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I
understand that any false statements made herein are subject to penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section
4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Dated: February ,2004
STEPHEN p. GIFT
PLAINTIFF
APRIL M. GIFT
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTy, PENNSYLVANIA
04-653 CIVIL ACTION LAW
1N CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Tuesdag2 Febxuar~_ 2__4, 2004 _, upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Dawn S. Sund~, the conciliator,
at 39 West Main Street, Meehanicsburg±.PA 17055 on Thursday, March 25, 2004
at 10:__30 AM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an eflbrt will be made to resolve the issues in dispute; or
if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by the court, and to enter into a temporary
order. All ehildren age five or older may a so be r~resent at the conference. Failure to apl~ear at the conference may
provide grounds for entry cfa temporary or permanent order.
The court hereby directs the parties to furnish any and all existing Protection from Abuse orders,
Special Relief orders, and Custody orders to the conciliator 48 hours Drior to scheduled hearinl~.
FOR THE COURT.
Custody Conciliator
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland ounty ~s reqmred by law to comply with the
Americans with Disabilites Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and reasonable
accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact our office.
All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the Court. You must
attend the scheduled conference or hearing.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR ATTORNEY AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE AN ATFORNEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE TttE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FiND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
,bO-
.... ,.. C.7l' J
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire
Supreme Court #32317
549 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
(717) 774-1445
STEPHEN P. GIFT,
Plaintiff
' 1N TI-It: COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
APRIL M. GIFT,
Defendant
: NO. 04-653
ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
I, Samuel L. Andes, Esquire, hereby accept service and acknowledge receipt of the above-
captioned Custody Complaint on behalf of my client, April M Gift, having received said Complaint on
the ~7~ day of February, 2004. I hereby indicate I am authorized by my client to accept service on her
behalf
525 North Tweh°th Street
P.O. Box 168
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Telephone No. (717) 761-5361
Supreme Court I.D. No.
STEPHEN p. GIFT
Plaintiff
VS.
APRIL M. GIFT
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMaMON PLEAS OF
CUIVIBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
04-653
CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
.ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this /~ ~ day of ~ , 2004, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. The parties shall participate in a course of family/coparenting counseling with a professional
selected by agreement. The parties shall obtain a written report from the counselor in 90 days after
initiation of the counseling sessions addressing the concerns raised by the parties and providing
recommendations, if appropriate. The parties shall follow the recommendations of the counselor with
respect to the Child's participation in the counseling. The parties shall equally share any unreimbursed
costs of counseling.
2. The Father, Stephen P. Gift, and the Mother, April M. Gift, shall have shared legal custody
ofRyan M. Gift, bom February 4, 1988.. Each parent shall have an equal right, to b,e exercised jointly
with the other parent, to make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the Child s general well-
being including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding his health, education and religion. Pursuant
to the terms of this paragraph each parent shall be entitled to all records and information pertaining to
the Child including, but not limited to, school and medical records and information.
3. The Mother shall have primary physical custody of the Child.
4. The Father shall have partial physical custody of the ChiM on alternating weekends from
Friday after school through Monday morning before school. The alternating weekend schedule shall
begin with the Father having custody of the Child on Friday April 1.5, 2004. In addition, the Father
shall have custody of the Child during alternating weeks on Wednesday from after school through
Thursday morning and during the interim weeks on Wednesday fi'ora after school through 9:00 pm.
The Father may have custody of the Child at additional times as arranged by agreement between the
parties.
5. The parties shall share having custody of the Child on holidays as arranged by agreement.
6. Each parent shall be entitled to have extended periods of vacation custody with the Child
during the Summer school break each year as arranged by agreement between the parties.
7. Within 60 days of receipt of the counselor's report, counsel for either party may contact the
conciliator to schedule an additional custody conciliation conference, if necessary.
8. This Order is entered pursuant to an agreement of the p;~ies at a Custody Conciliation
Conference. The parties may modify the provisions of this Order by mutual consent. In the absence of
mutual consent, the terms of this Order shall control.
BY T URT,
cc: Samuel L. Andes, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire - Counsel for Father
STEPHEN p. GIFT
Plaintiff
VS.
APRIL M. GIFT
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
04-653
CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
,CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
W TH CtmB ,m D COUNTY aULE OF CIVIL
1913.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
1. The pertinent information concerning the Child who is the subject of this litigation is as
follows:
NAME
Ryan M. Gift
DATE OF BIRTH
February 4, 1988
~URRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Mother
2. A Conciliation Conference was held on April 6, 2004, with the following individuals in
attendance: The Father, Stephen p. Gift, with his counsel, Barbara Sumple-Sullivan, Esquire, and the
Mother, April M. Gift, with her counsel, Samuel L. Andes, Esquire.
3. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
~ate
Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire/
Custody Conciliator